Cloning, localization and bioinformatics analysis of a gene encoding an odorant-binding protein (OBP) in Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky)

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) has an advanced and complicated olfactory system to identify hosts, mates and spawning locations, and odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) play a key role by binding to volatile materials from different hosts. The full-length cDNA sequence of an OBP, AglaOBP, was cloned by RACE from an antenna cDNA library, and the protein structure and function were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. Gene temporal and spatial expression was detected by real-time qPCR. AglaOBP had distinctive sequence, location and expression profiles compared with other OBPs of A. glabripennis, as it was found in different tissues, and the highest expression was in the elytrums. The possible physiological functions of this OBP were discussed. These findings help elucidate the physiology of this pest and provide a new potential target for pest control.